Arts & Culture
Taylor-made for the Grand Prix of Art
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, get ready to start…painting.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, get ready to start…painting.
The ninth annual Grand Prix of Art (Saturday, Sept. 21 in Steveston) is fast approaching and Tom Taylor, for one, is stoked.
Born in Dortmund, Germany, he moved to Canada at a young age and lived in Northern B.C. for 14 years where his passion for art was fueled. After graduating from the graphics program at Langara College, and later attending BCIT where he graduated with an architectural design major, Taylor worked for an architectural and engineering firm preparing presentation drawings and concept drawings and later managed many major projects. While pursuing his business career, he continued to paint an draw at home; mostly gifting his work to family and friends.
Having won several awards for his art, he now dedicates most of his time to painting and drawing working mostly in acrylics and water colour as well as pencil.
Q & A with Tom Taylor
Age: 62
Occupation: General contracting
How would you describe your style of art?
"Impressionistic. I pain at least once a week in the outdoor (plein air) or as I like to call it, free range painting."
Where do you get your inspiration from?
"I don't get inspired. I get on with putting pen to paper so to speak."
What drew you to become an artist?
"At an early age I seemed to have an aptitude towards painting and drawing. I also had an aunt, uncle and cousin who were in the arts."
Relating to being an artist, what is the best advice you have ever received?
"You're not getting any younger, so you had better get out here and paint with us before you die."
What advice do you have for your artist peers?
"Not to take ourselves too seriously...and to learn from our painting faux pas."
What do you appreciate most about the Grand Prix of Art?
"The adrenaline rush from the allotted time frame and the interaction with onlookers. Also being outdoors with other fellow artists."